Hi Friends,😊
Here are the next parts. Please note that I have used bhajans, classical songs and some hindi film songs as the part of the story/scenes/part. Those are the songs being sung by music group in the function.
Recap: Punishment was announced that Prithvi is supposed to draw mehndi designs on Sanyogita's hand. Also Chamki is attending the function and she spots Sanyogita. Everyone is surprised to see her there. Ab aage....
Link to part 16: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/prithviraj-chauhan/819623/pri-sanyo-reunion-script-part-16
************************** Part 17 *************************
"Jai jai Santoshi mata,
Jai Jai maa!!!"
Night's function started with Goddess Santoshi's bhajan. Soon, those who were already seated started clapping with the rhythm. And many were busy occupying place on the mats laid in front of the Music group's sitting arrangement.
"Sanyogita!!!!!"
"Chamkiiiii" Sanyogita cried again loudly. "Chamki tum..... tum yahaa!!!" She moved close to her.
"Sanyogita!!!" Chamki again sprang with joy.
Sanyogita and Chamki hugged each other tightly. That girl was Chamki, Sanyogita's best friend from Kannauj, who recognised her. Since childhood she was always with Sanyogita and was always part of her sorrows and joys. She too attended Koteshwar yatra with her. Even she knew Sanyogita's life and love story.
They were meeting after a long time. They smiled at each other when they broke apart from the warm hug. Chamki has grown up a bit in these years. She had wore a light green colour lehenga and had tied her hair. But she was the same, with all her old stlyes and behaviour. Chamki was fun-loving, happy-go-lucky, casual and carefree in nature.
Prithvi, Sanyogita, Pundir, Payal, Sanjam, Chamki and Arjun were standing out of the crowd and somewhat away from the Bhajan group. People around were chatting too. Some words and tune of bhajans fell on their ears.
"Thumak chalat raamachandra, baajat painjaniyaa."
After Santoshi mata's Bhajan, Lord Rama's bhajans were being sung.
"Kilaki kilaki uthat dhaay girat bhuumi latapataay,"
"Tum nahi janti tumhe yaha dekhke, mujhe kitni khushi ho rahi hai." Chamki cried excitedly, holding Sanyogita's hands.
"Hume bhi Chamki, hume toh yekeen hi nahi ho raha hai." Sanyogita could not stop herself from leaping and smiling with joy.
Sanjam was coughing, because accidently he poured all water from the pot in his throat.
"Sab shaanti se baith jao, phir sabko sunai dega." One man said when some women who were applying mehndi, complained that they are not able to hear Bhajans properly.
"Baithne ke liye aur jagah banai padegi bhaiyya....." Someone shouted.
"Shhhhhh..chup" Others asked him to keep quite.
"Dhaay mat god let, dasharath ki raniyaan.
Thumak chalat raamachandra, baajat painjaniyaa."
Prithvi, Pundir and Arjun too, were smiling widly looking at Chamki.
Chamki suddenly realised even they were there. She became more happy and let out a bigger sigh of surprise. Everyone moved close in circle.
"Aap sab bhi yaha?" Chamki shouted looking at Prithvi, Pundir and Arjun. "Kya baat hai!!!"
Sanjam adjusted his beard, moustache and clothes properly and cleared his throat.
Chamki move forward with smile towards Prithvi.
"Maharaj Prit.."
"Chamki....." Sanyogita moved ahead and quickly placed hand on her mouth. "Inka naam Lakshman hai Chamki."
Chamki nodded her head. Sanyogita removed her hand.
"Ha mein samaj gayi." Chamki said taking a long breathe.
"Tulasiidaas ati aanand, dekh ke mukha aravind,"
"Par aap dono ek saath? kaise???" Chamki pointed at Prithvi and Sanyogita and more excitedly said "Kya sab thik ho gaya tumhare...."
"Hum tumhe sab baat mein batayenge Chamki." Sanyogita interuppted and glanced at Prithvi.
Chamki's flying enthusiasm came down and she looked at them with perplexed looks.
"Kaise ho Chamki?" Prithvi asked her with smile and changed the subject.
"Kaisi..... aaaaa ha achhi hu. Aur aap sab?"
"Achhe hai."
"Bahot saalon baat Chamki, tumse milke achha laga." said Pundir.
They were happy to see her right after Koteshwar yatra. Those days rotated in front of their eyes.
"Ha... Aap logon se milke mujhe bhi badi khushi ho rahi hai."
"Hume bhi." Arjun replied with smile.
Chamki then looked at Payal.
"Hum bhi naa, tumhe milvana hi bhul gaye." Sanyogita said to Chamki and Payal.
"Aaaaa..... Payal." Sanyogita kept hand on Payal's shoulder "Yeh hamari saheli hai Chamki, Kannauj se. Aur Chamki yeh hai Payal."
Payal and Chamki smiled looking at each other.
Chamki looked around, she saw Hasmukhlal but she ignored him. She was expecting Sanjam there with Prithvi, Arjun and Pundir. Always they had accomplished all missions together. With all hopes in eyes and excitement in heart she was searching him.
"Kise dhund rahi ho?" asked Payal watching her.
Arjun got it. "Nahi Chamki." He smiled "Bechara Sanjam yaha nahi aa saka."
Sanjam blushed. He was happy to know that Chamki thought of him. He met Chamki in Koteshwar yatra when he went on a mission to save Shivling along with Prithvi. Sanjam and Chamki, in their fight and while working together on their mission, had developed a secret crush on each other. But their love story did not sprout and remained untold. Yatra's memories rolled over Sanjam. He never got a chance to tell her, what he feels about her. After years they met again, so happiness and excitement arose in him. Insipte of long gaps in their last meeting, they haven't forgotten each other and memories were still fresh, as if they met yesterday.
"Paayo ji, maine raam ratan dhan paayo.
janma janma ki puji pai, jaga men sabai khovayo,
Paayo ji maine, raam ratan dhan paayo."
Arjun and Pundir continued japing Chamki as if they are together since years. Comfort level between them reached very quickly. They knew Sanjam and what's in his heart. They knew he has some different and special feelings for Chamki. They knew he loves her. Due to their work and missions, no one could pay attention to this lovestory of Sanjam.
"Maine kab Sanjam ke baare mein puchha?" Chamki panicked. "Mein toh..."
"Ha, par kabhi naa kabhi toh puchogi naa tum? Isliye abhi se batake rakhta hu." Arjun said mischievously.
Prithvi, Sanyogita and pundir grinned. Chamki felt abashed.
"Waise accha hai Sanjam yaha nahi hai." Arjun said looking at Sanjam. "Kuch kaam thik se karta nahi aaj kal." He gave ludicrous expressions.
Sanjam coughed artificially and loudly, signaling him to shut up.
"Ha... baat baat pe ghussa hota hai." Pundir added.
"Aur khoya khoya sa bhi rehta hai. Ab woh yatra wala Sanjam nahi raha Chamki." Said Arjun loudly.
Arjun and Pundir got one more golden opportunity to pull Sanjam's legs. Sanjam felt irritate with their pranks.
"Vastu amolik dii mere sataguru, kirapaa kari apanaayo."
"Kyun majaak kar ho tum dono?" Prithvi said. He turned at Chamki "Chamki, Sanjam toh kisi kaam ke bajese yaha nahi aa paya." He smiled "Aur tum phikar mat karo, woh abhi bhi waisa hi hai jaise tumne usse yatra mein paya tha."
"Nahi, mujhe yeh sab batane ki jarurat nahi hai." Chanmki confusingly looked at Sanyogita who was grinning too. "Thik hai, mein thodi naa unke baare mein kuch puch rahi hu."
She quickly turned at Prithvi "Toh-weh-Delhi-mein-hai?"
Everyone laughed except Payal and Sanjam who blushed again. Payal couldn't make out what's going on. She was looking from one to other.
"Delhi mein? Pata nahi, bhatak raha hoga kahi yaha waha." Pundir said winking at Sanjam.
It seemed Chamki did not want to believe that. She was nervously looking at everyone.
Sanjam again cleared his throat loudly.
"Pani pi ke aayiye Hasmukhlalji." Arjun cired.
"Chamki hum log Keh toh rahe hai, Sanjam toh bigad gaya hai, tum usse bhul jaooooo......oyeeeee"
Sanjam in anger kicked Arjun hard on his backside.
Arjun tumbled forward.
"Arjun tum....." Prithvi was about to defend Sanjam, but Hasmukhlal's kick distracted him. He gave him a questioning look.
"Maaf karna." Said Sanjam watching Prithvi's expression "Woh aaise hi hamara pao achhanak chal gaya."
"Hey bhagwaan, tum sab yaha baatein kya bana raheho, chalo jaldi kaam pe lag jao." Some women were busy monitoring the function.
"Saare bachhe ek jagah pae baith jao." She asked children, but nobody listened to her, and ran in different directions.
"Arey oh bhabhi..."
"Hashmukhlalji kya hua, lagta hai appke haath pair aapke kabu mein nahi hai." Arjun said, helping himself. He stood straight and looking at Chamki asked "Kuch ho raha hai kya?"
Chamki gave him confused looks.
"Ha bahot kuch ho raha hai, tumhe isase kya?" Sanjam answered on her behalf, angrily.
Chamki looked at him, Sanjam saw her and smiled quickly "He he he....." in Hasmukhlal's style.
Chamki made face at him and watching that Pundir and Arjun laughed.
"Ab Chodo yeh sab, Chamki yeh Hasmukhlal hai..." Sanyogita introduced Hasmukhlal, but till then someone called loudly.
"Beti woh matka yaha le aana toh." Payal went to help her.
"Vaishnav janato,
tene kahiye je
peed paraayi jaane re"
One singer started with another bhajan. Maya Maa's turn was yet to come.
Prithvi wished to go, sit quietly and enjoy those gratifying bhajans. He was finiding an opportunity for that. He remembered Chander and thought if he had been here, he would have commented like this on some devotional song or said something, or explained meanings to Prithvi even though Prithvi knew the meanings. He smiled thinking of Chander, his childhood best friend, who was in Delhi, to look after, in Prithvi's absence.
"Oh Lakhman Babu, jara aap bhi yaha aake haath toh batana." everyone turned their faces, one man called Lakshman for spreading heavy mats on the grounds. "App sab bhi aa jao."
Prithvi, Pundir and Arjun went there.
"Par-dukhkhe upkaar kare toye
Man abhimaan na aane re"
Sanjam did not move. He was waiting for an opportunity to meet Chamki alone and tell her about himself.
"Hasmukhlalji aap bhi haath bataiye." Pundir called him.
Sanjam had to go there in anger.
"Waise waha kyu ruke thhe tum Hashmukhlal? Aaisi kya baat karni thi Sanyogita se?" Arjun said watching Prithvi, who gave frustating looks to Sanjam and proceeded. Pundir smiled again.
"Ha ha hass lo abhi, bas ek mauka milne do mujhe," Sanjam whispered "Phir nahi chodunga tum dono ko mein." He joined other group to lay mats.
"Par tum yaha kaise Chamki?" Sanyogita asked her excitedly.
"Aaa.. kya?" Chamki was lost "Ha..... Santoshi maa ka utsaav manane..... aur kya?"
Chamki told her that since they could not make to attend the function from first day, they decided to come there for the last and the main day at least. This Utsaav had become famous from last two years in north regions. Kannauj people were specially invited.
"Kya tumhare gharwale bhi aaye hai?" asked Sanyogita.
"Ha maa, babuji aur dadi bhi aayi hai. Aur bhi bahot log aaye hai Kannauj se." She raised her voice excitedly.
"Om Jai jagdheesh hare,
swami jai jagdheesh hare"
"Tumhe pata hai Surali bhi aayi hai."
Sanyogita was surprised.
"Yeh sab log tumse milke bahot khush honge." Chamki continued.
"Kya?? Surali bhi yaha hai?" Sanyogita cried looking tensed.
"Chamki, toh weh sab log hume pehchaan jayenge." Sanyogita said nervously, thinking something.
"Kya matlab?"
Sanyogita told her everything, how she came in this utsaav as a common girl, how her father has no idea about it.
"Suraline jake dadi maa ko sab sach bataya toh? Pitaji ko bhi pata chal jayega."
"Bhakta jano ke sankat
kshan mein dur kare..."
"Surali nahi karegi aaisa."
"Phir bhi..."
"Tum abhi ke liye phikar mat karo, sab log safar se bahot thak gaye hai, isliye weh bhajan mein shamil nahi honge."
"Aur Kal??"
"Kal ki phikar nahi, Sanyogita." Chamki said casually "kal tum unse dur rehna bas."
"Yeh sab tumhe itna aasaan lag raha hai?"
"Ab mein hu naa tumhare saath."
"Ha..... Pata nahi kya hoga?" Sanyogita mummered nervously.
"Om jai jagdheesh hare."
"Yeh do aur lo, aur bicha do." One man gave Arjun mats.
"Toh Kannauj se Chamki aayi hai." Arjun said smiling.
"Ajmer se kaun log aaye honge? Kahin tumhe pehchaan na le Prithvi." said Pundir holding mat.
"Nahi Pehchanenge, aur agar pehchaan bhi liya, toh hum baatein banake samjha denge, yeh Prithvi jaisa dikhta hai."
Prithvi wondered is this the place for every known person to come together?
Pundir smiled "Yaad hai, woh Shankar!!"
"Ha, Prithvi ko Shankar samaj ke, iski shaadi Mohini se karwane chale thhe woh log."
Prithvi grinned.
"Hasi aa rahi hai Prithvi, us waqt toh paseene chut rahe thhe tumhare."
"Ha par, ab jab woh din yaad aate hai, toh hasi aati hai."
They smiled.
"Waise.., Banaras, Punjabkund, gujarat pata nahi aur kaha kaha se log aaye hai yaha." said Arjun, while they were unfolding mats.
"Tum bin aur naa duja,
Prabhu tum sabke swami.."
Pundir: "Kahi aaisa toh nahi inn sab rajya ke maharaj bhi aanewale ho kal yaha?"
"Achha!!!" Arjun said "Phir toh Ajmer ke maharaj bhi aayenge kal."
Prithvi and Pundir gave him impervious looks while spreading mats.
"Ab yehi matlab nikalta hai naa iss baat ka?" Arjun explained himself looking from one to other.
Prithvi laid the mat down and said "Kal kaun aa rahe hai, yeh baat Jeevan se hote hote reh gayi."
"Ha yaha bicha do." One old man asked them to move mat slightly, which they were holding.
"Ab thik hai?" Pundir asked.
They came on one side after laying one mat and took other.
"Tumhe kya lagta hai Jeevan jo janta hai ya manta hai, usme kitni sachaai hai?" Pundir asked Prithvi.
"Kya matlab?"
"Matlab yeh ke hume pata hai, Madan yaha hume, matlab Delhi ke jasunson ko marne aaya hai, aur Jeevan ke hisaab se woh kal aanewale rajgharano ke logon ko nishaana banane aaya hai."
"Ho sakta hai, yeh dono baatein judi hui ho." Prithvi said thinking something "Ek teer se do nishaane banane ki yojna hai."
"Tumhara matlab Delhi ke jasusonn ke saath, Ajmer aur Delhi ke maharaj ko bhi marne ka jaal bichaya hai." Pundir clearified.
Prithvi nodded his head, but he was not worried about it. What he was worried about was the function and the attendees. He did not want the peace and happiness of that elated place to get disturbed just because of him.
"Phir toh, Ajmer aur Delhi ko niyota gaya hoga Nagaon se."
"Tan Man Dhan, Sab Hai Tera
Tera Tujhko Arpan, Kya Lage Mera ...
Om jai jagdheesh hare"
"Arey Sanyogita, tumhe mehndi nahi lagani kya?? Jao??" Payal said coming near Sanyogita and Chamki. "Shradhha chachi dhund rahi hai tumhe."
"Ha Lakshman ko toh aane do."
"Aur yeh Hasmukhlalji kaha hai?" Payal asked looking around.
"Pata nahi."
"Arey beti suno toh, yeh samaan waha tak le jane mein hamari madat karo" Two women asked Sanyogita. She took their bags and went with them.
"Yeh Hasmukhlal kaun hai?" Chamki asked Payal.
"Wohi jo dadi much laga ke yaha khade thhe."
"Ha... par woh hai kaun?"
"Woh... woh toh Maharaj Jaichand ke dost hai."
"Dost??"
"Ha."
"Par weh yaha tum logon ke saath kya kar rahe hai?"
"Kyunki weh Sanyogita ke bhi dost hai."
"Kya? Dost?" Chamki hold her chin. "Mein toh pehli baar dekh rahi hu unhe."
"Achha? Toh kya tum bhi nahi mili unse?" Payal did not know what to say further. She did not know Chamki well so she did not feel like telling her the truth. She decided to go according to their plan.
"Nahi toh." Chamki continued. "Pakka yakeen hai naa aap logon ko, varna yeh hoga koi behrupiya."
"Nahi nahi, yeh Sanyogita ke dost hi hai." Payal looked around. "Sanyogita unhe bahot pasand hai, usake saath apne shaadi ki baat chala rahe hai Maharaj Jaichand se."
"Tu pyaar ka sagar hai,
tere ek bund ke pyaase hum.."
"Kya???" Chamki cried.
"Ha... Sanyogita toh inkar kar chuki hai, par Hasmukhlal hai ke umeed chodte hi nahi."
"Bade besharam hai, umar toh dekho unki."
"Wohi toh. Unhe pata chal chuka tha ke hum yaha hai, par woh jake Maharaj Jaichand ko sab sach na bataye, isliye hum unhe bardasht kar rahe hai."
"Hadd hai!! Waise koi baat nahi, aap log phikar mat karo, mauka milte hi hum uss Hasmukhlal ko achha sabak sikhayenge."
"Ha ha bilkul.... waise ..... lo aa gaye Hasmukhlal."
"Lauta jo diya tune,
chale jayenge jaha se hum."
Prithvi was distracted from their chatting, by the song. He turned in that direction and got involved, as if he was singing that song.
"Ghayal mann ke pagal panchi,
udne ko bekaraar,
Pankh hai komal,aankhan hai dhundli,
jana hai sagar paar.
Ab tu hi isse samjha,
raah bhule thhe kaha pe hum...
Tu pyaar ka sa..."
"Aur Lakshman," Prithvi turned at Arjun and Pundir suddenly.
He tried to get back in their conversation.
"Maharaj Prithviraj toh nahi aa sakenge. Toh kya," Pundir wodered "Rani maa aur Rajkumari Pratha toh yaha nahi aa rahe hai naa?"
Prithvi looked at him stunned, because this could be the possibility.
"Par aaisi baat hoti toh kya Kanha Sanjam ke haaton hume yeh khabar nahi deta?" Arjun said.
Prithvi gave him questioning looks. "Sanjam ke haathon??"
Arjun became conscious and exchanging alert looks with Pundir said. "Mera matlab hai, Sanjam toh Delhi pohch chuka hoga, aur Kanha ko usne bataya hi hoga ke hum yaha hai. Phir isi utsaav ke niyote ki baat hoti toh Kanha yeh khabar hum tak jarur pohchata."
Prithvi's mind diverted on Sanjam and wondered where he must be and how. He was actually missing Sanjam and Chander there. He again prayed for Sanjam's safety. And hoped for the best.
"Par Arjun, Kanha Delhi mein hai, aur jabki Prithvi Ajmer mein hai, Niyota wahi gaya ho?"
"Bas bahot hua." said Prithvi restlessly. "Jeevan se milna hi hoga. Mein usse dhundta hu abhi."
"Arey oh Lakshman..." Some woman from other end called him. He turned there. "Saja ke liye baith jao, kaha hai tumhari patni?"
He looked around, he could not see Sanyogita.
"Ji hogi yahi kahi, mein le aata hu usse."
"Jaldi aa jao, bhajan toh kabke shuru ho gaye."
"Prithvi tum jao, mein aur Arjun jake Jeevan se milte hai, aur Madan ko bhi dekh aate hai." Pundir said.
Prithvi nooded his head "Thik hai" and went to search Sanyogita.
"Tumhi ho mata pita tumhi ho,
tumhi ho bandhu, sakha tumhi ho."
Another prayer song started. Some children were dancing with the rhythm, while many were playing.
Sanjam came near Payal and Chamki adjusting his costume. He came and smiled at Chamki. Chamki looked at him with utter disgust look on her face.
Sanjam was shocked and confused too.
He forgot that he was in disguise.
"Chalo Chamki hamare saath, tum bhi mehndi lagavalo." Payal said.
"Ha ha ... Chalo." Sanjam said looking at Chamki with sweet smile, though in Hasmukhlal's getup it was looking funny.
"Hhhhh….." Chamki reacted and again made face at him.
She then turned at Payal "Mein bas pani pike aati hu."
Chamki went away again giving Sanjam a revengeful look. Sanjam kept on looking in her direction, non-plussed.
"Jaise suraj ki garmi mein, jalte hue tan ko mil jaye sarovar ki chaya,
Aaisa hi sukh mere man ko mila hai, mein jabse sharan tere aaya, mere ram"
While lingering around in search of Sanyogita, Prithvi dashed with two kids. They fall down.
"Lagi toh nahi?" Prithvi asked just glancing at them. He again looked up. He was worried whether Sanyogita is not again in any trouble.
"Hum kya bachhe hai, jinhe itnasa girne pe chot aati hai." One of kids said in weird voice.
Prithvi looked down. He was Ishu, talking in girl's voice. He covered his face with dupatta again when it fall off.
"Tum dono??" Prithvi looked from one to other.
Karan: "Waise humne suna hai aapko saja mili hai."
Prithvi: "Ha, aap dono ki meherbani se."
Ishu: "Didi ke hathon pe achhi mehndi lagana, samjhe." Prithvi smiled. "Woh baad mein, pehle tumhare maa ko bata du tum yaha ho?"
"Bata do, bachke nikalna hume aata hai."
"Ha bachke rehna tum dono, Hasmukhlal bhi yahi hai."
"Hasmukhlal yaha nahi ek khass jagah par aaram kar rahe hai,"
Prithvi saw Sanjam.
"Woh rahe Hasmukhlal." He pointed at Sanjam.
Ishu and Karan turned in that direction.
"Woh kaun hai?" said Karan. He then turned at Prithvi "Yeh sarpanch Hasmukhlal nahi hai, koi aur Hasmukhlal hoge." He again turned at Sanjam "Par Ishu yeh sarpanch ka poshakh pehen ke ghum raha hai?
"Chal dekh ke aate hai." Ishu said
"Ruko tum dono, phir sarpanch......??" But till then they both disappeared in the crowd.
Prithvi stood there thinking "Agar yeh sarpanch nahi, toh phir Sarpanch Hasmukhlal kaha hai?" He recalled that Hasmukhlal never said he is sarpanch. It was Prithvi who misunderstood him.
"Jis raah ki manjil tera milan ho,
uspar kadam mein badhaau"
Sanjam stood still and looked at Payal "Tumne kuch kaha Chamki ko mere bare mein?"
"Nahi toh, tumhare baare hum kuch kyun bolenge?"
"Mera matlab hai, Hashmukhlal ke baare mein?"
"Ha, yehi ke Hasmukhlal ka Sanyogita se shaadi karne ka irada hai."
"KYA????? " Sanjam shouted loudly. People around shuddered and looked at him.
"KYUN?????" Sanjam again cried and made a crying face.
"Tum har baat mein chillao mat." Payal said rubing her ears.
"CHILLAU NAHI?????" He again shouted.
Two women passed by, staring at Sanjam as if he was an alien. Sanjam ignored them.
Pundir and Arjun came there.
"Bhatka hua, mera maan tha koi,
mil naa raha tha sahara..."
"Kya baat hai Hasmukhlalji, ab kya hua?" Arjun asked him keeping hand across his shoulders. Sanjam did not answer and stared at Payal with mouth agape.
"Kuch nahi" Payal said.
"Phir yeh chilla kyun raha hai?" asked Pundir.
Sanjam turned at Pundir and shouted "Tum jante ho iss pagal ladki ne kya kiya?"
"Tumne hume pagal kaha?" Payal too shouted. "Tum jante ho hum kaun hai?" She slightly pushed Pundir and stood in front of Sanjam, ready to fight.
"Ha janta hu, tum ek pagal ladki ho."
"Sanjam tum??" Pundir was about to ask to him to relax but till then he looked at Payal "Payal nahi.... " He stopped her when she was about to take out her sword. "Tum aaram se kaam lo."
"Aaraam se? Yeh hume Pagal bula raha hai, aur tum....."
"Woh majaak kar raha hai Payal." Arjun said.
"Nahi Arjun, mein majaak nahi kar raha hu, mein sach keh raha hu." Sanjam said with rage.
"Dekha!!!" Payal raised her voice. "Tum.."
"Sanjam tum toh .........kuch mat kehna" Pundir pushed him slightly.
"Nahi, mein Pagal kahunga aur hazaar baar kahunga."
"Phir se....." Payal again tried to take out her sword.
Pundir hold her hands and looking at her said softly "Meri baat manlo Payal, lado mat."
Payal calmed down instantly by his touch and stared at him through her big brown eyes. Her round face was shining as she tried to make out what happened to her suddenly, looking at him surprisingly. Pundir smiled at her, as she obeyed him.
"Paani ke pyaase ko taqdeer ne jaise,
Jee bhar ke amrit pilaaya.
Aisa hi sukh mere mann ko mila hai
Main jab se sharan teri aaya, mere ram."
"Ab woh pata nahi kya soch rahi hogi?" Sanajm continued with his complain.
Pundir freed his hands slowly and looked at Sanjam. Payal too shook herself.
Arjun said "Yaha shor karoge toh tumhe bhi saja milegi."
"Sanjam shaant ho jao, aur batao hua kya?" Pundir asked calming him down.
"Isne jake Chamki ko mere baare mein sab galat keh diya, ke mera Sanyogita se shadi karna ka irada hai."
"Hume kuch galat nahi kaha hai, humne wohi kaha jo humne taay kiya hai."
"Par ab woh Chamki bhi mujhe nafarat ki nazaron se dekh rahi hai." He raised his voice again.
"Kya pharak padta hai, Yeh Chamki bich mein kaha se aa gayi?" Payal too raised her voice.
"Jyot se jyot jagaate chalo, prem kii ganga bahaate chalo
raah mein aae jo diin dukhii, sabako gale se lagaate chalo"
"Nahi, mein tumhe samjhata hu Payal," Arjun smiled "Dekho jaise Koteshwar yatra mein Surya aur Nandini mile thhe naa, usi tarah yeh apne Sanjam Rai, Chamki se mile."
Sanjam kept quiet with anger on his face and folded his hand when Payal nodded her head looking at him. "Achha!!!, toh yeh baat hai."
She then turned at Pundir and after few seconds said "Lagta hai Koteshwar yatra mein bahot kuch hua tha?"
Pundir raised his eyebrows.
"Nahi Payal, Pundir ke saath waha kuch bhi nahi hua." Arjun said naughtily "Yeh bechara toh yatra mein kisise nahi mila."
Pundir pursed his lips and gave him threatning looks.
Payal turned at him pretending to be angry "Hume pucha tumse?" She was actually expecting the same answer which Arjun gave and felt happy.
Arjun moved one step back "Nahi, par aaise hi, jankari ke liye batake rakhta hu."
"Jarurat se jyada jankari dene lage ho tum."
"Par ab mera kya hoga?" Sanjam brought the conversation back to his topic.
"Sanjam tum bhi, bachon jaisi baatein kar rahe ho." Pundir kept hand on his shoulder. "Dekho, Chamki Hasmukhlal se nafarat karti hai, Sanjam se nahi."
"Par yaha toh mujhe Hasmukhlal banke hi rehna padega naa, iski meherbani se." Sanjam pointed angrily at Payal.
Payal was about to open her mouth to argue, but kept quite glancing at Pundir.
Arjun: "Sab thik ho jayega Sanjam."
"Jisakaa na koii sangii saathii ishwar hai rakhavaalaa.
jo nirdhan hai jo nirbal hai vah hai prabhuu kaa pyaaraa."
"Achha, toh phir thik hai." Sanjam said taking his sleeves back. "Mein Chamki ko bata deta hu mein kaun hu."
"Abhi nahi, isme khatra hai." Arjun said quickly. "Utsaav khatam hone ke baad jo kehna hai kaho."
"Utsaav ke baad kya woh chali nahi jayegi?" Sanjam argued restlessly.
"Dekho, Prithvi aur Sanyogita ke kahani mein, tum apni kahani mat shuru karo." said Payal.
"Toh kya yeh mauka, aaise hi haath se jaane du?"
"Ha!!!" Payal and Arjun said together.
"Toh kya Chamki se Sanjam banke yaha nahi milu?"
"Nahi!!!" Again Payal and Arjun cried together.
"Meri parvaah hi nahi hai, tum logon ko."
Nobody answered.
"Nahi, Bas, ab mein tumhari ab koi baat nahi maunga."
Sanajm and Payal again started pettifogging. Pundir touched his forehead helplessly and moved out. Arjun too gave up.
"Chham chham naachat aai bahaar
paat paat ne li angadaai
jhuum rahii hai daar daar
chham chham naachat aai bahaar"
Classical songs began.
"Humari talwar hamesha hamare saath hi rehti hai, bhulo mat." Payal moved towards Sanjam.
"Mein ladkiyon pe vaar nahi kara, iska tum galat phayada utha rah ho."
Payal looked at him proudly "Galat nahi hum bilkul sahi phayada utha rahe hai."
"Dekho tum..."
"Hasmukhlal kya tum apne dost ke zindagi mein khushiyan nahi lana chahte?"
"App log yaha baith jayiye..."
Some people from music group started asking everyone to maintain silence and take seats.
"Sab shanti rakhe!!!"
"Itna chilla kyun rahe ho tum dono?" Heaaring brabbling voices of Payal and Sanjam, Prithvi went near them. Actually Sanjam's voice made him go there, while he was looking for Sanyogita. He looked around and thought why he heard some voice like Sanjam.
Pundir and Sanjam got that from his expressions.
"Dekho yeh Hasmukhlal, mehndi lagana chahte hai Sanyogita ko." Payal said giving Sanjam a revengeful look.
"Kya nahi." Sanjam reacted quickly.
"Kya?" Prithvi said angrily. "Kehna toh dur ki baat hai, tum aaisa soch kaise sakte ho?"
"Apne dimakh se…he he he…"
Prithvi stood in front of him. "Tum mujhe ghussa mat dilao Hasmukhlal, yeh tumhare liye achha nahi hoga."
Sanjam raised his eyebrows. "Dekho yeh Payal juth bol..."
"Tum Sanyogitase dur raho" Prithvi threatened him again and raised his finger "Agar tumne..."
Chain of children playing around passed between them making noise.
"Shaant ho jao, sab baitho to ek jagah."
"Ha, weh shastriya sangeet ke aadhaar pe rache geet ga rahe hai."
Prithvi attention diverted to the song. He was fond of music and poetry. Even Payal, Pundir, Arjun and Sanjam turned at the folks woh were singing and enjoyed the stanza.
"Man matavara dole
jaane kya kya bole,
nai naveli asha jaagi
jhuumat manavaa baar baar
chham chham naachat aai bahaar."
"Lakshman bhaiyya aap shuru ki jiye."
Prithvi turned at Payal "Sanyogita kaha chali gayi?"
"Tum kyun dhund rahe ho usse?" Sanajm came near them and suddenly felt like arguing with Prithvi.
"Tumse matlab?" Prithvi replied rudely without looking at him.
"Lakshman, Hasmukhlal ko accha nahi lagta, jab tum Sanyogita ke baare mein baat karte ho." Arjun answered.
"Ha, bilkul." Sanjam added.
Prithvi felt annoyed "Tum hote kaun ho?"
"Hum? Hum Hasmukhlal hote hai.... he he he....." Sanjam rolled his moustache and laughed.
Everyone giggled except Prithvi who was contrlloing himself from punching Sanjam on his face.
"Yeh thik nahi hai, itna achha utsaav aur tum dono jhagad rahe ho." Pundir said standing between them.
"Ha Chalo." Payal too came forward "Yeh jhagda bhul jao aur dosti karlo." she said with smile.
Prithvi gave Pundir and Payal shocked looks, as if they asked him to jump into the fire.
Pundir: "Aaise dekho mat Lakshman, kam se kam muskurao."
Prithvi found it difficult to smile.
Payal: "Hasmuklalji aap bhi"
"He he he" Sanjam giggled quickly.
Prithvi gave Sanjam disgusting looks.
"Payal baje, mori jhanjhar pyaare,
Kaise aau tore milanare."
Though Sanjam smiled in Hasmukhlal's style, he really felt like smiling at Prithvi. Because Prithvi, his best friend, who was everything for him seemed to be happy than before. Sanjam owes a lot to Prithvi. After Sanjam lost his family in his childhood, he was Prithvi who gave him brother's love. He was Prithvi who introduced him to a new family. Sanjam always saw a brother in Prithvi. And always prayed for his well-being. He too prayed and wished that he get an opportunity to do something good for Prithvi. He had, since childhood, made up his mind, to die for him and leave the world before Prithvi does. Sanjam felt like hugging Prithvi tight.
"Mein issase dosti jaruru karunga." Sanjam said "Par muskurake nahi, isase gale milke."
Prithvi reacted "Par mujhe tumse gale milne ka koi shauk nahi hai."
"Lakshman ab tum bachoon jaise baat nahi kar rahe ho?" Arjun asked.
Arjun was right, Prithvi thought. He could not make out the reason for his hatred towards Hasmukhlal.
"Ha toh ab hum gale milte hai, aur dosti kar lete hai." Saying this Sanjam moved towards Prithvi and hugged him tightly, before Prithvi could say or do anything.
"Chalo ab jaldise sab baith jate hai, Maya maa yaha aa rahi hai, sabko datne." someone cried from the crowd.
"Jaag rahi mori, saas nandani,
jiya dar pavat raina andheri."
Sanjam felt relaxed and happy for Prithvi. He was happy sensing that golden days of Prithvi's life started again. And wish like giving him his best wishes. He wished to tell him that he is not any Hasmukhlal but his friend Sanjam. But Sanjam kept quite. Prithvi felt the warmth of his love and wondered who is he?
"Ha bas bas, bahot gale mil liye." Prithvi was still not completely prepared to do friendship with Hasmukhlal. After he broke apart from hug, he squinted at Hasmukhlal. "Kya hum pehle kabhi mile hai?" He asked in mind.
Till then Payal saw Sanyogita and Chamki coming near.
"Lakshman" Payal went near Prithvi and whispered in his ear "Ab phir se maja aayega, jab Sanyogita tumpe bigdegi." She said anything irrelevant.
"Yeh kya bol rahi ho tum?"
She started laughing.
"Ab tum has kyun rahi ho?"
Prithvi got it. He raised his eyebrows "Kya Sanyogita hume dekh rahi hai?"
Payal nodded her head.
Sanyogita and Chamki came there.
Prithvi looked around and saw Sanyogita giving him suspicious looks.
Unable to control himself, Prithvi blushed in front of her. Payal too laughed loudly.
"Kya baatein ho rahi hai?" asked Sanyogita with stern look on her face.
"Tum hamesha galat waqt pe galat baat dekh leti ho ya toh sun leti ho." Prithvi said grinning "Lagta hai mujhe iski aadat dalni chahiye."
"Kya baatein ho rahi thi?" Sanyogita repeated her question.
"Kuch khass baatein." Payal said and winked at Prithvi.
Prithvi smiled "Ha hum tumhe nahi bata sakte." he said.
"Achhi baat hai." She said angrily looking from Payal to Prithvi and turned to go.
But she panicked as she saw Maya and Shradhha chachi together approaching them with bowl filled with heena. Someone said right, Maya maa was coming there to monitor.
Sanyogita forgot her anger and ran towards Prithvi.
"Lakshman chalo yaha se." She held his arm by both the hands.
"Woh Maya maa aur Shradhha chachi aa rahi hai, jaldi se Mehndi lagake, yeh kaam niptado."
"Kya niptado? Mujhe mehndi lagana nahi aata hai Sanyogita."
"Hum tumhe sikhate hai, ab chalo jadi." She stared pulling him.
"Par Sanyogita."
"Shradhha chachi ne maya maa ke samne tumse saja ke liye pucha toh sab gadbad ho jayegi." She pulled him.
"Par, tum..... "
"Chalooo!!!" She cried.
"Haaaa.."
"Piyaa tose naina laage re, naina laage re
jaane kyaa ho ab aage re, naina laage re"
Sanyogita was successful in disappearing in the crowd with Prithvi.
"Lakshmanji??"
Others kept on watching them with smile.
"Yeh Maya maa se kyun dar rahi hai?" Chamki asked Payal.
Payal: "Waise koi khass baat nahi hai, woh kya hai naa,..."
"Lakshmanjiiii..." Maya maa was calling Sanjam. Sanjam again forgot that he introduced himself as Lakshman to Maya Maa. Even Payal forgot that. She continued answering Chamki "Maya maa ko iss baat ka pata nahi chalna chahiye....."
Chamki saw Maya Maa standing near them and patted on Payal's shoulder.
"Maya maa???" Payal cried with panic.
"Kya pata nahi chalna chahiye hume Payal?"
"Woh woh yeh ke....." She looked at Pundir and Arjun for help.
"Kya baat hai Maya maa?" Pundir asked. Sanjam tried to escape.
"Aap Lakshmanji....." Maya maa stopped him. Sanjam nervously turned at them.
"Arey woh, Lakshman aur Sanyogita baithe kya Mehndi lagane?" Shradhha chachi interrupted.
"Ha"
"Kaha? Yeh rahe Lakshman. Saja toh inhe..."
"Nahi Maya Maa... "
"Woh baat yeh hai Maya Maa" Arjun came forward and looking from Shradhha chachi to Maya Maa said "Aaj kal har ek insaan ke do naam hai, nahi, mera matlab hai ke, har ek naam ke do inasaan hai."
Shradhha chachi and maya maa exchanged confusing looks
"Par woh dono kaha hai jinhe saja mili hai?"
"Jaise mein Arjun, aur woh waha bhi ek Arjun hai."
"Lakshman toh yeh rahe" Maya maa ignored Arjun's falderal and again pointed at Sanjam. "Aur... aapki.."
"Ha par saja toh..."
"Yeh Mehndi kiske liye?" Pundir asked Shraddha chachi quickly in a loud tone.
"Ha, ha yeh unhe de aao toh...." She gave him the bowl pointing at the two women sitting.
"Aap ko pata hai, anu bhabhi ki mehndi bahot achhi aayi hai." Payal said.
"Ha sab keh rahe hai..."
"Weh sone chali jayegi, aap dekh ke aayiye."
"Mein abhi dekh ke aati hu." Shradhha chachi went there grinning.
"Aap kya keh rahi thi abhi abhi?" Maya maa turned at Payal suspiciously. She felt something is going on "Hume kya pata nahi chalna chahiye?"
"Aaaaa woh yeh ke..... aaaaa Yeh Lakshman ki patni hai...ha ha" Payal pointed at Chamki.
"Kya??" Chamki cried.
"Yeh bahot sharmili hai naa... toh" Arjun said grinning.
"Main Kaun hu?" Chamki asked being confused.
"Ha" Payal nodded at Chamki. "Tum hi ho naa inki patni, ab shrmao mat Sanyogita."
"Sanyogita??" Chamki cried rising her eyebrows.
Arjun and Pundir turned around and laughed silently.
Maya maa was watching everyone bewildered.
Payal patted Chmaki's back and smiled at Maya maa.
Sanjam went near Chamki and whispered "Apni saheli Sanyogita ke liye yeh juth bol do, hum tumhe sab baat mein samjhayenge."
Chamki looked at him surprisingly, since Sanjam spoke in his normal tone. She heard the voice which she was eager to hear. She stared him with her heart beats rising.
"Raat ko jab chaand chamake jal uthe tan mera
main kahuun mat karo chandaa is gali kaa phera.
Aana mera saiyaan jab aaye
chamakana us raat ko jab milenge tan-man milenge tan-man."
"Sanyogitaji??" Maya maa called Chamki. She did not react.
"Sanyogita??" Payal shook Chamki. Chamki looked around as if where is she.
Sanjam happily in Hasmukhlal's tone told Maya Maa. "Ha ha..... yeh hai hamari patni hai Cham, nahi san... sanyo..."
"Aap chup rahiye." Chamki moved back and shouted at him. She thought she was hallucinating Sanjam's voice.
"Kya aapne pati se iss tarah se baat karte hai?" Maya asked.
"Nahi." Chamki shook her head nervously.
"Aap..."
"Maya maa weh log aapko bula rahe hai." Payal said pointing at the crowd.
"Kaun?"
"Waha koi..."
"Ha aap chaliye aur mehndi lagvana shuru ki jiye." Maya maa said to Chamki and Sanjam.
Chamki and Sanjam looked at each other.
Maya maa waved her hand "Jayiye."
Chamki and Sanjam nodded their head, but did not move.
Maya maa looked at them suspiciously "Jate kyun nahi?"
Payal pushed them and said "Jao naa."
"Ha ha… jao Lakshman." Arjun and Pundir too pushed him.
Sanjam hold chamki's hand and went away pulling her.
"Mein dekh ke aata hu woh kaha ja rahe hai?" Arjun said mischiveously and followed them.
"Payal aap bhi Bhuvana se Mehndi lagvaiye."
"Ji" Payal nodded her head, looking at Pundir.
Maya went away on her way.
"Kaun aaya mere maan ke dwaare,
Payal ki jhankaar liye.."
Payal went near Pundir "Aaaaa... yeh mehndi unhe de aao."
"Ha" Pundir stared at her. "Tum bhi mehndi lagvalo."
"Ha lagaenge naa." She raised her hand and looked at her palm.
Pundir took the stick from the bowl and dipped it in the mehndi. "Isse lagate kaise hai?" He mummered.
Payal showed him her palm and shyly tried to answer. "Aaa...yeh.."
At first Pundir hesitsted, but then brought stick on her palm and made a dot of heena at the centre of her palm.
Payal Shivered with the tickling sensation she felt.
"Aakh na jaane,
Dil pehchaane suratiya kuchh aaisi,
Yaad karu to, yaad na aaye, muratiya ye kaisi
Paagal manwa,
Soch mein dooba
sapno ka sansaar liye"
Pundir made a flower of dots at the center of her palm.
"Arey bete kya kar rahe ho, woh mehndi toh lao yaha." Shradhha chachi shouted from the group of ladies where she was seated.
Pundir and Payal shuddered.
Pundir turned there "Ha.... mein lata hu." He then bashfully smiled at Payal and went there.
Payal thoughtfully watched him going and then at the dot he made on her palm. She sensed something weird happening with her and she could no longer ignore it.
********************** End of Part 17 **********************
